Surveys are of the utmost importance for many research fields, because they provide unique and crucial information: they measure the prevalence and distribution of attitudes, opinions and self-perceptions that cannot be measured in any other way. Furthermore, surveys constitute the basis for many governmental decisions and generate a picture of the public’s perception of society. However, conducting surveys is harder than ever: the overwhelming number of surveys has led to ‘survey fatigue’, and people generally feel less responsible to participate in surveys.

The downward trend in response rates of surveys is a major threat for conducting high-quality surveys. High nonresponse rates may cause nonresponse error, which occurs when nonrespondents meaningfully differ from respondents. When nonresponse is systematic, results of the survey may be biased, leading to distorted conclusions. In this project, a PhD student will assess the nonresponse problem by investigating survey participation mechanisms. We welcome research ideas from different perspectives, for example: survey methodological theories, sociology, and/or linguistics. To get an in-depth understanding of survey (non)-participation, we encourage the PhD student to use quantitative as well as qualitative techniques. The PhD student will work in close collaboration with an interdisciplinary research team consisting of: Dr Marieke Haan, Prof. Marijtje van Duijn (Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences), Dr Yfke Ongena and Prof. John Hoeks (Faculty of Arts). You will be committed to conducting original scientific research, and will be expected to disseminate this research in academic and non-academic publications and presentations.

The PhD student is expected to:

• have a master or research master degree in for example social sciences, communication science or data science
• have had a thorough training in qualitative and quantitative research skills
• formulate a short research proposal before the start of the project, and develop this further together with the research team in the first six months of the research project
• have affinity with survey research methodology
• have a good command of spoken and written English (C1) and preferably Dutch (B1)
• be able to finish the PhD thesis in four years
• be able to show perseverance, flexibility, and have organizational and collaboration skills
• enjoy planning, taking initiatives, and academic writing
• be able and willing to work in Groningen.

Fixed-term contract: 48 months.

The PhD Scholarship student will be enrolled in the PhD Scholarship Programme and receives a scholarship of €2,249 per month (gross) from the University of Groningen. For more information on the RUG PhD scholarship programme and its benefits please check the website at https://www.rug.nl/education/phd-programmes/phd-scholarship-programme/conditions-application/

The PhD Scholarship contract is offered for four years. A successful candidate will first be offered a temporary contract of one year with the option of renewal for another three years. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the contract period is to be expected.
A PhD training programme is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences. As part of the programme, the PhD student will take part in the Career Perspectives Series, which provides a thorough preparation on the career after the PhD, inside or outside academia. During the course of the doctorate, the student will develop research and, if desired by the candidate, teaching competencies. For this, the PhD student will receive a tailor-made programme.

Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences

Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has enjoyed an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative university of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Balanced study and career paths in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the 36,000 students and researchers to develop their own individual talents. Belonging to the best research universities in Europe and joining forces with prestigious partner universities and networks, the University of Groningen is an international place of knowledge.